Ride a Painted Pony — Carolyn McSparren

Someone close to Nick Kendall has betrayed his trust, and Nick cant go to the police. What he needs is an experience private investigator.

Taylor Hunt is "experienced," all right. For two years she's answered telephones, run papers to the local courthouse and occasionally tricked insurance cheats into showing they could still mow the lawn and shoot pool. More that anything she'd like to solve this case on her own -- even if it kills her. And it just might.

But not if her new client has his way. Nick is determined to keep his detective safe in his arms. Even if it means losing everything else...including his reputation.